A new design sketch teases the next-generation Ridgeline pickup, which Honda says will debut within two years’ time. The automaker also confirmed that production of the current Ridgeline pickup will end in mid-2014.

Honda has long defended the Ridgeline’s merits and was previously insistent that the truck would live on. With the recent announcement, the unorthodox pickup will make it to generation-two, though it appears it will adopt a more conventional truck outline with a clearly defined bed, as the sketch shows. Just like the outgoing model, the next-gen Ridgeline will be designed by Honda R&D Americas, at the company's Los Angeles and Ohio facilities.Debuting in the fall of 2005, the uni-body 2006 Honda Ridgeline earned Motor Trend’s 2006 Truck of the Year award because it “offers an intriguing third idea as a people and cargo hauler that's as responsive as a car, but for once doesn't beat you up.“ While sales might suggest the world wasn’t ready for a uni-body pickup, the Ridgeline remained popular among the Honda faithful. With 16,106 units sold by the end of November, Honda claims Ridgeline sales are up 29 percent over last year.

Not much has changed since the Ridgeline first arrived, and while we had mostly good things to say about it in our 2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport First Test, we did take note of its age: “For those who like the Honda version of an SUT, this vehicle is still great. It does offer the same versatility that it's always had and a smaller package than something like the Tundra. But the Ridgeline hasn't changed all that much, and half-ton pickup trucks have passed it by. Trucks like the F-150 and Ram have both been significantly updated since the Ridgeline came out. Ride quality is not nearly as nice in the Honda as it is in the F-150, and the Honda's power, while certainly adequate, is less than that of even the F-150's base V-6 (302 horsepower, 278 lb-ft) and the 3.5-liter V-6 is backed by a five-speed automatic, not a six.”While 2014 may be the last model year for the Ridgeline, the automaker has introduced a new range-topping model: the 2014 Honda Ridgeline Special Edition.

I have often said that I would like to see another El Camino, or how about a For Fusion Ranchero offering engine options up to the twin-turbo 3.5L and awd? I doubt they could ever happen, when buyers are willing to make the F-150, Silverado and Ram 1500 top sellers, with a generous profit margin. If Honda is going to bring out GenII they need to bring it more in line with the old El Camino and Ranchero, as the pickup truck market is already well served. And then there is the new Colorado/Canyon, which will probably attract current Ridgeline customers. But we can hope, can't we? If I want a truck, I'll spend the money for a Silverado 2500 diesel, or an F-250. But the new Colorado/Canyon, if it rides, drives and handles with a sporting nature might get my attention, if it is less expensive, so I can buy a 8.5' by 24.5' enclosed trailer, with dual torsion axles, and the midi-truck can pull it fully loaded. If I win the $400 million Mega Millions drawing I'll buy any darned thing I want though. Like I said, we can dream. LOL.

My brother has owned his since '06. It is ungainly, to be sure, but it is quite handy and reliable. It is not overly large so, you can handle it in the tight confines of D.C. I think of it as a Swiss Army Knife of trucks. If you need a knife or multi-tool, it is great to have around.

Unless this POS switches over to a RWD and an actual 4WD setup, dont even bother. The current one is pathetic as it is, while the new one might look more like a truck, I bet it will get the same pilot platform, which of course is FWD.

@Redgenesis88 They did win the Baja 1000 two times in three years with that "pos" and its awd setup, they did not even touch the awd computer for the race. It is far more capable than many people understand.

Still the ridgeline has the upscale futuristic design and quality for a truck. it may have lacked in the hardcore real world truck capabilities. all the major trucks out there still have the old school design and credentials which is still liked by the trucking community for practical reasons . Its very hard to attract the hardcore trucking community towards new ideas and design otherwise we won't see those behemoths Lufkin on the freeways with large monster chrome grills apparently the way to attract the buyers. The larger the chrome mouth the better chance of appeal

I think that there could be a market for these unibody trucks, if they move the price point down range. Has to top out hi 20s to low 30's and compete with the midsize truck market (Tacoma, Colorado, Frontier). Entry level about 19-21k range. I think the Ridgeline is slotted in a spot to compete against trucks that it has no business competing against. I can see using this for a delivery truck/crew hauler, but no heavy loading. Kinda like where the Rangers and Colorados used to be and what the transit connect and that Nissan competitor occupy now. Gas mileage should've been way better from the start, but if they can get the mpg to the 20-25 range combined n/a that would be great. The existing mpg's are in line with an 1/2 ton pickup with less than half the capability. This is never going to compete with a 1/2 ton truck for people who actually want/need a 1/2 ton truck, but against a midsize truck this could do well. Again, if priced like a midsize pickup.

Agreed. It seems like Honda forgot about the Ridgeline as it hasn't been touched thru two whole generations of Honda vehicles. It's good in a lot of ways but the price point isn't justified due to the areas of deficiency. I'm hoping this next generation will address those issues.

@Holee-Driver What part of nor cal? Im from the bay area and now reside in LA and yes I agree Ive only seen the 40 and over club buy these, two days ago some old man was showing his new ridgeline to his grandson, bragging about the in bed trunk! This thing is a joke, in my opinion it needs to stay the hell away from trying to compete with the big boys ( f150, silverado, ram 1500), if priced cheaper and made more attractive, I am sure it could take buyers away from Nissan and Toyota.

More sac valley area. And yes, if they stick to the same formula, they needn't bother to compete with the big 3 in the full size truck category. As I said above, they were charging F250 money for explorer sportrac qualities. I'm a proponent of Honda but not in this segment.

I love the idea of a Unibody Pick-up. Ever since I saw how capable a Unibody SUV (my Jeep XJ) can be, I like it. The issue with the first round of the Ridgeline was too many compromises and an effort to be too much of an alternative. It was born of an era still in love with SUVs and Trucks. Now, trucks are still a big deal, but SUVs have had to compromise.

Will this be about competing with the workers editions of the American models, but considering that I see a number of the outdoor sports folks settling on pick-ups when a ladder framed truck is way overkill. In some regards, the Chevy Colorado will fill some of that void, but this Honda will (if appointed and designed well) pick up much of that market...which is a huge market. As much as I'm not a Honda fan at all, I would consider this for not only my outdoor activies, but storm chasing, and mild off-roading.

What would the Honda have to do to interest me:

--It would have to have a solid rear axle. (would be awesome of they somehow made it compatible to be swapped with Dana HD axles.

--It can't have any bizarre body styling.

--It must have a real bed. It would be OK if not a separate bed, but length, width is critical. At least big enough to handle an ATV, motorcross cycles, bicycles, etc.

--It must have real comfort for four person in the cab with misc. space for gear not left in the bed.

--It must have a damn good AWD or 4WD system. Standard rear locker in mid or higher trim level is fine.

--It must best all the traditional pick-ups fuel economy, even if it sacrifices big towing capacity and power.

A laundry list of accessories would be nice. Everything from skid plates, to kayak racks, etc.

Oh..and it must have fire engine red paint option! None of that gay ruby red sutff.

The slanted rear was it's biggest failure IMO. I want a truck where the sides of the bed are flat so I can reach in over the side or jump out over the side, etc. The slanted sides on the Ridgline just did not work for me. The rest of the truck was fine for what I would need though. I think this new one has a good chance, especially if it can stay somewhat smaller than the competition, which has just balooned in size over the past couple of generations.

If Honda tries to market this next gen Ridgeline the way it did the first gen, it will not survive to gen three. The reason why it has not sold like Honda had hoped is because of the compromises of the unibody platform and the fact many buyers of trucks do not want the compromises that the Ridgeline had, i.e. inaccessible bed from the sides, lackluster fuel economy from the only powertrain offering, and the interior was benchmarked against competitors previous generations.

If it is still unibody, Honda has a lot of work ahead of them, because of what Ford, GM, and Ram are doing will make the segment much more tougher to compete in than when the Ridgeline first debuted.

I'll be honest, the first time i laid eyes on this truck in '06 i abbsolutely hated it! The idea of a unibody truck was a crazy thing for me to accept. But through time & also the chance to drive one i really started to like them. My sister & i saw one at the MT International autoshow in Baltimore earlier this year & we agreed that out of all the new vehicles that were there the Ridgeline surprised us the most.